Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Kathleen DeWick

In my darkest hour is when my hero became me. Sometimes in life, we don't have a hero so we become the one we need to help us along the path. We find fellow sojourners along the way where we can rest awhile and just breathe. A laugh or two and a simple, kind act can mean so much when we are fighting a battle.
My battle was the destruction of altheimers / dementia taking my mother away from me one bit at a time. You see, my mother was my best friend, my biggest cheerleader and delighted in me as I did her. It's hard to loose that while the person you're loosing is still right in front of you.
No time to grieve, no time to feel the loneliness and no time for yourself. The afflicted loved one needs you, she's afraid, confused and trusts in you to make every decision in her best interest. You do it and tell yourself they'll be time later to take a breathe.
She passed away unexpectedly in her sleep almost four years ago. Peacefully and ready to join her husband and parents who went before her. She love God and was truly confident He was taking her home.
There's many things I wish I had done differently as many I did really right. When we really love someone, we all have those feelings.
I was so grateful I was able to tell her "thank you" by sticking with her and by telling her of all the things I appreciated about her and my father. I was truly blessed.
My advise to all of you battling this disease right now in a loved one is to reach out for support. It's there and no one is going to do it for you. Be your own hero and ask those trained in this devastating disease to walk alongside you. They will.

Monday, February 15, 2016